Strong performance punted with 22 laps to go

Brad Coleman

MEXICO CITY, (April 21, 2008) – After running in the Top 10 throughout the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Mexico City Sunday, Brad Coleman and Carino’s hopes of providing the world with free pasta on Monday went by the wayside when the No. 27 was taken out by the No. 66 of Steven Wallace.

“The other drivers behind the incident came up to me in the airport following the race and said it was the clearest punt they had seen since Montoya took out Pruett last year,” said Coleman. “Steven hasn’t contacted me so I don’t know what he was thinking. It is tough to work as hard as we had to be up there with the best of the Cup teams all weekend and have a clear shot at a Top 5 finish only to be clearly punted out of contention. Steven and I haven’t had any issues in the past and we have raced against each other for a few years now, so I am not sure what was up with that move. I certainly hope it wasn’t on purpose.”

The bump from the rear sent Coleman spinning into the grass. He re-started the car and came back on track in 32nd position. Following a pit stop for fuel, tires and repairs, he brought the car back 16 positions in the final 16 laps to earn a hard fought 16th spot.

Coleman’s primary sponsor for the race, Carino’s Italian Grill, had promised free pasta to fans at any of their 161 restaurants on Monday if Coleman won on Sunday.

“I imagine there are a lot of hungry people who are not real happy with the No. 66 right now”, quipped Coleman. “We did not quite have what it took to win the race but we were going to be real close at the end.”

Coleman’s No. 27 will now carry the United States Postal Service banner into the race at Talladega, where Coleman won the pole and earned a Top 10 finish his first time at the famed superspeedway last year.